As the UAW’s simultaneous strike against Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis stretches into its second week, US President Joe Biden made a historic visit to workers on the picket line. He addressed UAW members at GM’s Willow Run redistribution center west of Detroit, marking the first time a president has made such a move while holding office.<\/p>\n
“You guys, the UAW, you saved the auto industry back in 2008 and before,” said Biden, speaking to members of UAW Local 174 via bullhorn. “You made a lot of sacrifices, gave up a lot when the companies were in trouble. But now they\u2019re doing incredibly well. And guess what? You should be doing incredibly well too.”<\/p>\n
President Biden was joined by UAW President Shawn Fain, who’s been quite vocal in recent weeks regarding the terms for which its members seek to settle the strike. Speaking to union members after Biden, he evoked the history of the former Willow Run assembly plant, where B-24 Liberator bombers were built during World War II.<\/p>\n
“Today, the enemy isn\u2019t some foreign country miles away. It\u2019s right here in our own area. It\u2019s corporate greed,” he said. “And the weapon we produce to fight that enemy is the liberators, the true liberators; it\u2019s the working class people, all of you working your butts off on those lines to deliver a great product for our company. That\u2019s how we\u2019re going to defeat these people, that\u2019s how we\u2019re going to defeat corporate greed, is by standing together.”<\/p>\n
According to Automotive News<\/em>, the UAW is seeking a 36 percent increase in wages within 90 days, the elimination of different tiers for workers, and a cutback of temporary workers who are typically paid less. The union also seeks restoration of defined-benefit pensions and more time off for workers, which includes a proposed 32-hour work week. Thus far, automakers have proposed a 20-percent increase in wages over four years, with varying degrees of tiers, additional vacation time, and 401 (k)contributions.<\/p>\n This is the first simultaneous strike against Ford, GM, and Chrysler (now part of Stellantis) in the UAW’s history. Initially starting with walkouts at three manufacturing plants, the strike has expanded to 38 parts plants for GM and Stellantis. Citing some progress in talks with Ford, the UAW hasn’t expanded its strike beyond the automaker’s Michigan plant where the Bronco is built.<\/p>\n Motor1.com<\/em> reached out to representatives at Ford, Stellantis, and General Motors for a comment on Biden’s visit. Thus far, only Stellantis has responded.<\/p>\n On the first day of the strike, President Biden said UAW workers \u201cdeserve a contract that sustains them and the middle class.\u201d We agree and presented a record offer. <\/em><\/p>\n